Cleveland Monsters (3) at Ontario Reign (5)
Attendance: 8,006
Starters
Monsters
Schroeder-Thurkauf-Kujawinski
Austin-Cockerill
Kivlenieks
Reign
Mersch-Maillet-Luff
Roy-Fantenberg
Wedgewood
Monsters Lines
Bittner-Stenlund-Koules
Kujawinski-Thurkauf-Schroeder
Naas-Scott-Besse
Kessy-Pendenza-Hodgson
Monsters Pairings
Austin-Cockerill
Gaunce-Graves
Somerby-Collins
Goal Recap
The Cleveland Monsters and Ontario Reign met for the fourth and final time last night. Ontario needed a win to stay in playoff contention. While, Cleveland needed a win for confidence sake.
Calvin Thurkauf put the Monsters on the board 9:40 into the first period. He broke away with the puck and sped down the ice. Thurkauf went toe-to-toe with MacDermid before firing the puck from the right faceoff dot through Scott Wedgewood’s five-hole.
With 2:17 to play in the first period, t
Philippe maillet, Oscar Fanteberg, and Sean Walker spent around 20 seconds of their power play passing the puck around looking for an opening. With 17 seconds left in the power play, Walker spotted the opening and fired off the puck from the left faceoff dot. The puck sailed over Matiss Kivlenieks’ blocker and into the net to tie the game at one with 2:17 to play in the first.
Nine and a half minutes into the second period, the Reign took the 2-1 lead over the Monsters.
Philippe Maillet passed the puck off to Michael Mersch who set up shop in front of the right post. Mersch backhanded the puck between his legs to Matt Moulson who pounded it home for the goal.
The Monsters tied the game at two with a little under eight minutes to play in the second period.
Garret Cockerill stole the puck from Austin Wagner and began to barrel down the ice. He tossed the puck off to Paul Bittner who threw it across the ice to Miles Koules. From the top of the right faceoff circle, Koules launched the puck towards the net. It banged off of the left post and past Wedgewood.
After allowing the Monsters to tie the game, the Reign were amped up. They were not ready to let this game go.
A minute after the Monsters tying goal, the Reign took the 3-2 lead over the Monsters.
Walker passed the puck across the ice to Moulson who was left unatttended near the net. Kivlenieks was caught a bit offguard by the pass and couldn’t close up the hole on the left side of the net in time to stop Moulson’s shot.
It took until 16:17 into the third period for another goal to be scored.
After receiving a pass from Brodzinski, Wagner took off down the ice. Once he reached the left face off dot, Wagner launched the puck into the net to make it 4-2 in favor of the Reign.
Coach Madden pulled Kivlenieks with three minutes left in the game. After multiple attempts the Reign were able to fire the puck into the empty net.
Thirty seconds later the Monsters would get within two of the Reign.
From the far corner, Doyle Somerby tossed the puck to Jordan Schroeder. After doing a few nifty stick tricks, Schroeder poke the puck into the net.
The goal was too little too late. Cleveland was unable to make anything happen before the end of the period. Ontario won this round, 5-3.
But Wait! There’s More
Quick Thoughts
- Calvin Thurkauf has been the most pleasant surprise in the line changes. It’s clear he thrives as second line center.
- Due to a few defensive breakdowns, Matiss Kivlenieks spent the bulk of the game flying over the crease to stop shots.
- Kale Kessy is a phenomenal fighter. He knows how to through the perfect haymaker and can tie an opponents’ arms up so they are unable to land a punch. Hopefully, Kessy does not get pigeon holed as a fighter. He’s actually a very good player, as well.
- As a whole, the Monsters are playing good hockey. Unfortunately, there are a few players who are not stepping up to the challenge. The mistakes those players make are costing the Monsters wins. /
3 Stars
1st – Sean Walker (1g, 3a)
2nd – Matt Moulson (2g, 0a)
3rd – Michael Mersch (1g, 2a)
Game Stats
Captaincy Report
Cameron Gaunce, Jordan Schroeder, and Justin Scott wore the “A” on their sweater last tonight.
What’s Next
The Monsters have a few days off before heading to Iowa to take on the Wild on April 3rd at 8pm et.
The roadtrip ends in Milwaukee on April 4th at 8 pm et.